Michael Phelps is one of the most decorated Olympians of all time, with a total of 28 medals, including an impressive 23 gold medals. His incredible success in the pool has made him a household name and a legend in the world of swimming.
However, before he became an Olympic success, Phelps had a college career that laid the foundation for his future achievements.
Michael Phelps' College Career
Phelps attended the University of Michigan, where he trained under coach Bob Bowman, who had been his coach since he was a young swimmer.
Although he didn't officially swim for the Michigan Wolverines due to his professional endorsement with Speedo, Phelps used the university's facilities and worked closely with the coaching staff to prepare for major competitions.
During his time at Michigan, Phelps continued to break records and solidify his position as one of the most talented swimmers in the world.
Phelps' Swimming Events
Phelps is renowned for his versatility in the pool, winning in multiple swimming events and strokes. Some of the events he has competed in and won medals for include:
| Event | Stroke |
| 200m Freestyle | Freestyle |
| 100m Butterfly | Butterfly |
| 200m Butterfly | Butterfly |
| 200m Individual Medley | All Four Strokes |
| 400m Individual Medley | All Four Strokes |
World and Olympic Records Held by Phelps
Throughout his career, Phelps has broken numerous world and Olympic records. At the end of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he held the following records:
| Record/Distance | Time |
| 400m Individual Medley | 4:03.84 |
| 4x100m Freestyle Relay | 3:08.24 |
| 200m Freestyle | 1:42.96 |
| 200m Butterfly | 1:52.03 |
| 4x200m Freestyle Relay | 6:58.56 |
| 200m Individual Medley | 1:54.23 |
| 4x100m Medley Relay | 3:29.34 |
| 100m Butterfly (Olympic Record) | 50.58 |
Where did Michael Phelps Go to School?
Before attending the University of Michigan, Phelps attended Rodgers Forge Elementary, Dumbarton Middle School, and Towson High School in his hometown of Towson, Maryland.
He was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) at a young age, and swimming provided him with a productive outlet for his energy.
Before Michigan, Phelps attended:
Rodgers Forge Elementary
Dumbarton Middle School
Towson High School (graduated 2003)
Physical Attributes
Many experts say that Michael's body was designed for swimming. He has a very long torso, long arms, big feet, and short legs for his height.
His long arms and feet help propel him through the water and, at the same time, his long torso and short legs help him to glide cleanly through the water.
Training and Diet
Michael has practiced and worked out for years to get into the kind of extreme shape it takes to win so many medals at a single Olympics.
His intense focus and drive are worth appreciating. Michael eats around 12,000 calories of food every day to train.
Conclusion
Michael Phelps' college career at the University of Michigan may not have been as widely publicized as his Olympic wins, but it played an important role in his development as a world-class swimmer.
FAQ's On Michael Phelps' College
A. Michael Phelps grew up in the Rodgers Forge neighborhood of Towson, Maryland, and attended Towson High School, along with Rodgers Forge Elementary and Dumbarton Middle School.
A. Michael Phelps is widely renowned as one of the most accomplished athletes ever, capturing an unprecedented number of Olympic medals, World Championship titles, US National titles, and world records throughout his illustrious swimming career.
A. Phelps' wife is Nicole Michele Johnson, a former beauty queen who was crowned Miss California USA in 2010 and competed in the Miss USA pageant.
A. Michael Phelps is currently 38 years old, having been born on June 30, 1985.
A. Michael Phelps retired from competitive swimming at the age of 31, having set numerous records and raised the bar in the sport from the age of 15, when he became the youngest male athlete to make the U.S. Olympic team in 68 years.
